Find Nursing Schools supports students in locating the West Coast nursing schools. With exposure to cutting-edge technology and top health care facilities, the West Coast is a great place to begin a nursing education and pursue a future nursing career.
When people consider pursuing a nursing career, they often first focus on job security and salary. Although those play an important role, where you start your nursing career can influence the nursing practice areas and career opportunities you access. Explore more about why the western U.S. is a great place to begin your nursing career, along with the West Coast nursing schools.
If you are passionate about finding a career path that lets you make a difference but aren’t sure which nursing program is the best fit, Find Nursing Schools can connect you with top nursing degree programs that suit your needs.
Explore accelerated nursing programs on the West Coast that can help you reach your goals sooner.
Why Consider an Accelerated Nursing Program on the West Coast?
The western U.S. can be a good region for new nurses to begin their careers. From the beaches of southern California to the Pacific Northwest, this region offers landscapes, seasons and culture to match your lifestyle. Top-tier research centers and hospital systems in major cities can allow nurses to start their careers working in advanced settings.
Major metro areas like Los Angeles, California; Portland, Oregon; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Salt Lake City, Utah, allow nurses to be exposed to a variety of environments, cultures and languages. Because of the diverse population, nurses can also explore countless nursing specialties. Additionally, the West Coast offers prospective nurses a thriving and growing job market in the healthcare sector. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, California, Oregon, and Washington offered lower unemployment and higher pay for nurses in the U.S.
On the West Coast, you will have access to spectacular natural settings like beaches, mountains and national parks. The outdoor lifestyle and focus on work-life balance in this region promote wellness and recovery, while preventing nursing burnout.
Learn more about the types of nursing degrees and nursing education paths.
Accelerated Nursing Programs
With strong education and career opportunities through top programs and partners, earning a nursing degree on the West Coast can be a strong launchpad to help you begin a successful nursing career. Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABSN) programs are available throughout the West Coast. In ABSN programs, students can earn their BSN in under two years, creating quicker access to a nursing career.
These programs typically include:
- Online coursework that covers nursing knowledge and theory
- Labs that focus on realistic skills and simulations allow students to learn practical skills in a safe environment.
- Clinical rotations at top health care facilities that provide students with the hands-on knowledge
ABSN programs help prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN, a comprehensive nursing exam that all prospective nurses must pass.
Four Top Nursing Schools in the Western U.S.
In and near major West Coast cities, these four nursing schools offer ABSN programs that strongly prepare you for a successful nursing future.
Concordia University Irvine—Irvine and Rancho Cucamonga, California
Located in Irvine and Rancho Cucamonga, near Los Angeles, Concordia University Irvine’s ABSN program prepares students to earn their nursing degree in as few as 15 months. At Concordia University Irvine, students develop a commitment to holistic care through cohort-based learning with dedicated faculty and like-minded peers.
Concordia University Irvine offers a campus-based ABSN program in Irvine, California, and a hybrid-based ABSN program in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Students receive a values-based education centered on diverse patient care, with numerous lifestyle and entertainment opportunities in the area as well.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses earn an average salary of $138,100 in the Los Angeles area and an average of $135,680 in the San Bernardino area. These figures are well above the national average nursing salary.
Fill out Concordia University Irvine’s online form to learn more about their ABSN program.
Concordia University, St. Paul—Portland, Oregon
Concordia University Global’s ABSN program helps students achieve their goal of earning their BSN in as few as 16 months. Through interactive online courses, practical training and dedicated learning sites, students receive a comprehensive nursing education focused on Christian principles and serving a culturally diverse population.
Located in Portland, Oregon, CSP’s ABSN program prepares students to serve the over 3.2 million people and 11 hospitals in the Portland area. Through partnerships at top healthcare organizations, students will experience nursing firsthand.
In Portland, nurses earn an average of $123,580 per year, with over 24,900 nurses employed in the state, creating many networking and career opportunities for new nurses, according to the BLS.
Request more information from CSP today to talk with an admissions counselor about their ABSN program.
Grand Canyon University—Meridian, Idaho; Henderson, Nevada; and Sandy, Utah
Focusing on servant leadership in nursing and an education based on Christian principles, Grand Canyon University’s ABSN program prepares students for their future nursing profession and provides access to quality nursing education for a faster transition into a nursing career. Students can earn their BSN in as few as 16 months at any of GCU’s ABSN sites.
Located in Meridian, Idaho, near Boise, GCU's Idaho ABSN site guides students to be prepared to close the nursing gap and lessen the nursing shortage, through online courses, immersive skills and simulation labs and clinical experiences. With a strong job market and plentiful growth opportunities, Boise is a great place to begin your nursing career. According to the BLS, nurses earn an average of $92,930 in the Boise area, which is comparable to the national average.
GCU’s Nevada ABSN site, located in Henderson, Nevada, is a great place to gain experience with a diverse patient population. Just outside the bright lights of Las Vegas, you can experience a unique, fast-paced environment with plenty of job opportunities, due to the vast nursing shortage throughout the city. In the Las Vegas area, nurses earn an average of $102,400, which is above the national average, according to the BLS.
In proximity to Salt Lake City, GCU’s Sandy, Utah, ABSN site helps students leverage their non-nursing college credits or degree into a BSN through flexible online learning, in-person training and clinical experience. With a strong job market and top-tier facilities, the Salt Lake City area is a great place to prepare for a nursing career. Nurses earn an average salary of $91,550, according to the BLS.
Contact Grand Canyon University by filling out the online form to hear more from an enrollment counselor about their ABSN program and process.
Explore a day in the life of a nursing student. Learn what to expect and how to succeed
Pacific Lutheran University—Lynnwood, Washington
At Pacific Lutheran University’s ABSN program, students develop nursing leadership and service skills in Lynnwood, Washington. Through a supported 16-month nursing education, PLU focused on nursing excellence, advocacy and justice.
Located north of Seattle, students can help fill the demand for needed nurses while gaining experience and networking opportunities through clinical rotations at reputable healthcare facilities and hospitals.
With about 37,250 nurses employed in the Seattle area, there are many opportunities for recent ABSN graduates. Nurses in this area make an average salary of $120,260, which is well above the national average of $93,600, according to the BLS.
Request more information from Pacific Lutheran University to ask questions and learn more about their ABSN program from an admissions representative.
Tips for Choosing the Right West Coast Nursing Program
When choosing between nursing programs on the West Coast, you want to choose the nursing program that will best set you up for success by meeting your future career goals, lifestyle needs and personal nursing philosophy. Aspects to keep in mind when choosing a West Coast nursing program include:
- Make sure the ABSN program is properly accredited by the CCNE or ACEN and approved by the state board. This ensures you can take your NCLEX-RN exam after graduation.
- Choose a program that fits your timeline. By completing an ABSN program, you will graduate and be able to reenter the workforce sooner.
- Review the programs’ first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. If the pass rates are higher, the program typically prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN better than a program with lower rates.
- Research important factors, like the cost of the program, financial aid available, faculty support and student support resources.
- Find and complete any requirements or prerequisites for the ABSN program.
- Check the clinical requirements and partnerships. If the program partners with strong health care facilities and hospitals, you will have preferable job and networking opportunities.
Begin Your Nursing Career Today
Are you ready to begin your nursing career today by learning more about ABSN programs? Find Nursing Schools will help you locate the best nursing school for you.
Fill out this online form and we will provide you with more information about the West Coast nursing schools and throughout the U.S.
